4. A diverse community

Wellesley College is a place where women from all around the world come to enjoy and participate in a multicultural and diverse community.

We believe that women of all talents and experiences add to this community, and that in striving for such a group, we must appreciate diversity of thought, opinion, religious and political beliefs, geography, language, and cultural heritage.

Diversity also extends to the classroom. Wellesley's 1000+ course offerings enable students to choose from courses which encompass a broad range of political opinions, religious beliefs, literature genres, philosophies, cultural studies, scientific theories, and languages. Students, faculty, and staff at Wellesley College thrive in a community where viewpoints are challenged, people do not all look or dress alike, but still one in which they find that everyone is passionate about learning and becoming friends with those who are different from themselves. Both classes and social lives are enriched by the experiences of those who have moved from one international metropolitan area to another, as well as by those who have lived in a single small town their whole lives.

According to Diana Chapman Walsh '66, alumna and former president of Wellesley College, "The kind of inclusive multicultural community I believe we aspire to be is one in which everyone can feel a legitimate sense of ownership and all can be secure in the knowledge that they will be respected for who they are, judged, in Dr. King's unforgettable words, not by the color of their skin or outward appearance but by ’the content of their character.’ All constituencies and subgroups in this community will belong to it, feel welcome here, and share equally this responsibility for ensuring that we are doing our best to produce educational excellence."

“At Wellesley, the women’s college atmosphere leads to a relaxed social life that I find very accepting. There is a supportive and understanding place for you here regardless of your political creed, social preferences, sexual orientation, academic interests, or odd quirks. The women here are smart, intellectual, and completely lack the cattiness often associated with our gender. Regardless of whether or not I agree with a fellow Wellesley woman, or even like her, I know I can trust her to be there for me and respect me.”
Alison Dwyer ‘08

“I love the dynamics within Wellesley’s student population. The woman who debates avidly against you during class could very well be the same person who lets you borrow her notes when you are sick. I feel that students here are quite willing to voice their ideas, but at the same time, they never let a difference in opinions hinder them from extending a helping hand.”
Juliet Bu ‘08

“I have been involved in Mezcla, the Latina student organization on campus, since my first year. During that time I have served as the ALANA Admission Representative, Communications Chair, and Vice President. We are open to everyone who appreciates Latino culture, and we communicate that message to our Wellesley sisters on campus.”
Berenice Rodriguez ‘08

Wellesley students value the accessibility of their professors and the student/faculty relationships that develop and sometimes last for decades. Students' diverse experiences and backgrounds, interests, goals, and areas of talents and interests enormously enrich both the classroom and campus life. In the above photo, students in Math 255 - Combinatorics and Graph Theory enjoy dinner at the home of their professor, Ann Trenk, associate professor of mathematics (front row, left).

Office of Admission
Last Modified on December 5, 2008
Expires on June 30, 2009